| Image forming apparatus having a removable output unit -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Image forming apparatus having a removable output unitImage forming apparatus having a removable output unit description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060181590, Image forming apparatus having a removable output unit. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] This specification generally relates to an apparatus that forms images, and more particularly describes an apparatus that forms images by discharging droplets of recording liquid. [0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art [0004] An image forming apparatus, which may serve as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, or a combination thereof, forming images by using an electrophotographic process (i.e. electrophotographic image forming apparatus) is generally known. There is also known an ink-jet image forming apparatus that forms images by depositing droplets of recording liquid (i.e. ink droplets) on a conveyed recording medium. [0005] In a background electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an output unit, to which sheets are output, may be removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. [0006] In another background electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a bottom of a sheet-output space is formed as an output tray, which may be removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Removing the output tray, a sheet-handling unit including an optional output unit and a sheet finisher may be removably mounted in the sheet-output space. [0007] A background ink-jet image forming apparatus includes an ink cartridge connected to a record head via a channel, a feed tray from which a sheet is supplied, and an output tray to which a sheet after recording is output. The ink cartridge may be loaded or unloaded from a predetermined side of the image forming apparatus. The feed tray and the output tray are disposed so that a user may supply or pick up the sheet on the side from which the ink cartridge may be loaded or unloaded. [0008] In another background electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a sheet output unit is removably attached to a top of the image forming apparatus. Removing the sheet output unit, an optional stacking unit may be removably attached to the top of the image forming apparatus. Further, the removed sheet output unit may be removably attached to a top of the optional stacking unit. SUMMARY [0009] An image forming apparatus is provided which includes an image forming section that discharges droplets of recording liquid to form an image on a recording medium, a body including the image forming section, and a conveyor section that conveys the recording medium having thereon the image formed in the image forming section. An output unit is removably attached to the body and includes at least the conveyor section. [0010] The output unit has a novel and unobvious configuration which is adapted to be suitable particularly for image recording wherein droplets of recording liquid are deposited onto a recording medium to form a desired image thereon. For example, the output unit including the conveyor section is preferably detachable. Such an output unit allows it to be readily detached (and later reattached), for example, when the conveyance path becomes soiled with recording liquid and needs cleaning or otherwise needs maintenance. [0011] For example, another one of the preferred features is that the output unit may further include, in addition to the conveyor section, a face-down output path, a straight output path, a straight output tray, and the like. [0012] As another example, the straight output tray may be included along with the straight output path in a configuration wherein the straight output path is coupled to a straight conveyance path such that a sheet fed from a feed tray is linearly conveyed from feeding in, through the conveyance path and straight output path, onto the straight output tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an example in this disclosure; [0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of an image forming section and a sub-scanning section of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2; [0017] FIG. 4 is an illustration of sheet conveyance paths and sensors in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of an output unit removed from the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1; [0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5; [0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of the output unit of FIG. 5; and [0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 7. Continue reading about Image forming apparatus having a removable output unit... Full patent description for Image forming apparatus having a removable output unit Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Image forming apparatus having a removable output unit patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Image forming apparatus having a removable output unit or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Image forming apparatus Next Patent Application: Ink for inkjet printing, lithographic printing plate using it and method for making such plate Industry Class: Incremental printing of symbolic information ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Image forming apparatus having a removable output unit patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12152 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
